𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑙, 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑑. 𝑀𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑑'𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙？
꧁꧂
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Lady Featherington, accompanied by her three daughters and Rosalind Thompson, arrived at another grand ball, held outdoors under a canopy of twinkling lights and resounding music. The atmosphere was enchanting, with couples swaying gracefully to the melodious tunes at the center of the gathering. Meanwhile, other ladies elegantly strolled around, engaging in introductions with the gentlemen present.
Regrettably, Rosalind found herself without her sister by her side. Lady Featherington had insisted that Marina stay home due to illness, urging Rosalind to prepare for the ball instead of tending to her sister.
She couldn't help but find it strange: her sister had seemed perfectly fine all day, yet as soon as it was time to prepare for the ball, Marina was suddenly confined to her room and forbidden to join them.
On the other hand, Rose had the opportunity to meet some gentlemen on her own and, perhaps, even dance with someone.
She navigated through the gathering, following the shift in music to a lively, captivating melody. Her attention was caught by Penelope gracefully dancing with Colin Bridgerton, prompting Rosalind to quietly observe with interest.
𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳？
Rose laughed to herself. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳. She thought, but paid no mind as she walked up to the refreshment table. Suddenly, a loud voice was heard all around the crowd.
- Ladies and Gentlemen. A most extraordinary event is about to take place. Right this way!
The male voice cheered as the crowds of people followed the voice, cheering.
Rose's curiosity made her follow the crowd and get in the middle of the crowd as she looked around her surroundings, unable to find a familiar face.
- It is with great privilege I present Vauxhall's newest spectacle of illumination.
The voice continued as people cheered excitedly.
𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. Rosalind thought, looking around, praying to see a familiar face to enjoy this event with. With no luck, she had spotted Daphne Bridgerton. She was hesitant at first, but quickly walked up to her.
- Hello Miss Bridgerton.
The girl greeted her with a bow
- Rosalind Thompson.
She smiled politely, noticing the look on Daphne's face as she realized who she was.
- Oh hello Rosalind! Marina's sister, right?
Daphne smiled cheerfully, greeting the girl.
Rosalind exhaled, pursing her lips in a thin smile before nodding
- Yes. Marina's younger sister. This is quite interesting, is it not?
She tried to change the topic of their little conversation as she looked up.
- Feast your eyes above. And allow all that is radiant to overwhelm you!
The male voice resonated through the crowd, capturing the attention of both girls. They lifted their gaze, captivated by the twinkling lights above them, casting a celestial glow that transformed the atmosphere into a scene of enchantment. The lights danced like stars, imbuing the space with a sense of magic and allure.
The girls gasped in awe as other people cheered in shock. The guests excitedly clapped from every corner, while Rosalind couldn't take her eyes off the lights above her, not even noticing Daphne's older brother's approach.
- Is it not the most bizarre?
Daphne greeted her brother while still looking up with a smile on her face.
- Lord Bridgerton.
Rosalind noticed her brother began to bow politely with a smile
- Miss Thompson.
The man greeted her before turning his attention to his sister in a serious look.
- What is it?
Daphne asked, noticing the frown on her brother's face.
- Lord Berbrooke's barony is over 200 years old.
He started, making Rose roll her eyes.
- His lineage is legitimate. He has had an excellent education, possesses no debts, never hurt an animal or a woman, and is even a decent shot.
He said, looking quite proud of himself.
- To speak strictly, there is nothing wrong with him.
He added.
Daphne, not sure what he meant,
- What should any of this-
- You are to marry him.
Daphne looked at her brother in disgust,
- Nigel?
- I had to find you a husband, sister. Now, be grateful if is done. It should be just as easy to fall in love with Lord Berbrooke as with anyone else.
Lord Bridgerton continued.
Rosalind couldn't believe what she was hearing.
𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦? 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘱? 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯？
Daphne became furious, looking at her brother in disbelief and anger,
- I will not hear of this.
She coldly said, storming off and leaving Rosalind with her brother.
Rose pursed her lips awkwardly, turning her head to act like she was interested in something else. She felt Lord bridgerton's gaze on her, and she wasn't having it. She turned around to face him, giving him a fake smile and leaving.
*****
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𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑢𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛.
𝐼𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝐷𝑢𝑘𝑒 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔.
𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑. 𝑌𝑒𝑡, 𝑖𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ, 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝐼.
𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦, 𝐿𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛.
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